Will taking Calc AB instead of BC affect my chances?

Applying to College
1

<p>Sorry if someone has asked this before. =(</p>

<p>Well, I'm taking Honors Pre-cal right now and probably will have Bs both semesters. Math is the only subject I get Bs in. Last semester my weighted GPA was 4.67 which is decent, but I'm horrfied with my B in math. I'm probably getting another B this semester as well. The only problem I have is really my teacher. When I went to tutors starting last month I understood the material perfectly. My pre-cal teacher doesn't have good reputations.</p>

<p>So, if I took Calculus AB instead of BC affect my chances at really good schools? (ex. UPenn, UCB, UCLA, U Chicago...). I might major in business, economics, or pre-law related courses.</p>

<p>My counselor told me that I should take BC because I've been in honors math. I've taken challenging courses freshman and sophomore years so I don't want to ruin my chances with one class junior year. </p>

<p>Did anyone with AB get into top universities?</p>

2

<p>wow…wut a terrible question</p>

3

<p>and an even worse reply. I’m interested in this too; Calc AB is one of my 4 APs im taking next year.</p>

4

<p>Well at my school,people that took Calc AB got accepted to HYPS and other top schools (well if they applied), so I don’t think it makes a difference. Also, people who took Calc BC got denied. So, you should take what you feel like you will do the best in. I don’t think it really makes a difference.</p>

5

<p>My junior year schedule would probably be:</p>

<p>French 3
AP English
AP Calc (AB…BC???)
AP U.S.
AP Art History
AP Psychology</p>

<p>I’m not taking a science class because I’ve already taken 4 freshman and sophomore years…(Chem, Bio, AP Bio, APES)</p>

6

<p>Thanks =) I’m just afraid that schools might think I’m not taking the most challenging courses. Math is nightmare…ewww…</p>

7

<p>^ Your schedule looks great for a Junior with or without BC</p>

8

<p>Do you know what the difference in content between AB and BC is? It’s actually just a few chapters and is quite negligible. Take BC if you can, AB if you can’t, and don’t worry about it…college will essentially treat them the same way. Btw, I would highly advise you take something else instead of Art History…unless you have a passion for art or something…The few hours I was actually conscious in that class this year were so horrendous that I really have to wonder what I was thinking when I opted to take it.</p>

9

<p>I’s say for most schools it would not matter, but it will at a top business school like Wharton. If your math is too shaky for BC, you would not be competitive there.</p>

10

<p>Don’t let everyone fool you. If you want to get into really good schools, Calc BC will give you a leg up. Its harder than AB, but only because it moves faster. Even if you get a B in it, I think you definitely need to take it. Just my opinion.</p>

11

<p>^What if you want to major in Economics and you take AB instead of BC? I’m taking Precalculus as a summer course, so I don’t want to jump straight into Calculus BC and get killed. Is there that great of a difference between AB and BC?</p>

12

<p>My teacher says AB covers Calc 1 and a little 2. BC covers Calc 2 and a little 3. I think for top schools like ivies, you should go with BC.</p>

13

<p>sooo i dropped calc BC to take AB my junior year. and ill be going to berkeley in the fall. </p>

<p>we had similar schedules and ap art history and ap us are really demanding at my school. taking ab just worked better for me. you need to do what you think you’ll do best in/ not completely overwhelm yourself with.</p>

14

<p>Darn. Can anyone attest to whether maintaining a B in Algebra 2 sophomore year, taking Precalculus in the summer, and skipping to Calc BC junior year is a ridiculous idea?</p>

15

<p>you must love math or something cause that is a TON of math to absorb in a small amount of time</p>

16

<p>If you are good at math and can understand a large amount of material in a short amount of time, then it is doable, but it will be extremely challenging and time consuming. However, i would not recommend it. Perhaps you should take pre-calc your junior year and then calc bc your senior year?</p>

17

<p>I wish everyday I took AB instead of BC… :frowning: </p>

<p>BC is loads more difficult, especially if you’re like me and hate math.</p>

18

<p>curious123, I’m graduating early.</p>

<p>I’m not the best at math though…</p>

19

<p>BC is not that bad, as long as you force the material down your throat. In addition, when AB kids complain about what they are learning you can put them in their place because you are so far ahead :P</p>

20

<p>Yea… i think if you make calculus its ok. I took Calculus BC junior year and would have been in Multivariable. Kids who did the normal route got into great schools, so as long as you challenge yourself it shouldn’t be a problem.</p>

<p>@sqdwe13
Since I did that, don’t do it… I skipped geometry and started with Algebra 2/trig. It makes absolutely no difference in the long run which math level you are at, only the grades you get in the level matter. Just learn it and if you still feel you want to end up in Multivariable (if your school offers it) take one during the summer end of senior year. You WILL NOT be getting credit for multivariable anyways if you take it in HS. Only if you take a summer COLLEGE course will you be receiving credit.</p>